Electron microscopy of two nematode-destroying fungi, Meristacrum asterospermum and Zygnemomyces echinulatus (Meristacraceae, Entomophthorales)

Abstract

Infection of nematodes by Meristacrum asterospermum and Zygnemomyces echinulatus was initiated by conidia adhering to the nematode's cuticle. Each conidium developed an infection peg to penetrate the nematode after adhesion. In M. asterospermum, an infection peg just under the penetration was found in ultrathin sections, in which the peg's cell wall was broken into several lobes that were covered entirely with an amorphous mass of electron-opaque substance. Septa formed in the apical portion of aerial conidiophore under conidiation. The septal wall was nonperforate and often contained electron-opaque inclusions. Vegetative hyphae of Z. echinulatus had typical bifurcate septa, but septa at both ends of the pedicel of conidia were often slightly deformed. Key words: infection of nematodes, Meristacrum asterospermum, septum, Zygnemomyces echinulatus.